Circular No. 16/2021/TT-BVHTTDL stipulates the code number, occupational title standards, and salary grading for cultural heritage professionals.

CIRCULAR

REGULATIONS ON CODES, STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL TITLES AND SALARY GRADING FOR SPORTS SPECIALISTS
SPECIALIST PROFESSION IN CULTURAL HERITAGE

Pursuant to the Cultural Heritage Law dated June 29, 2001 and the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Cultural Heritage Law dated June 18, 2009;

Pursuant to the Civil Servant Law dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to the Law Amending and Supplementing Certain Provisions of the Civil Servants and Public Officials Law and the Public Service Staff Law dated November 25, 2019;

Pursuant to Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary system for civil servants, public officials, and armed forces, and Decree No. 17/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 19, 2013 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary system for civil servants, public officials, and armed forces;

Pursuant to Government Decree No. 79/2017/NĐ-CP dated July 17, 2017, on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism;

Based on the proposal of the Director of the Cadre and Civil Servant Department;

The phrase "or examination" is abolished pursuant to Clause 6, Article 8 of Circular No. 15/2025/TT-BVHTTDL dated November 25, 2025, of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism amending and supplementing certain articles of Circulars prescribing job codes, qualification standards, and salary grades for civil servants in the heritage culture, library, grassroots cultural activities, sports, fine arts, art performance, film, and cultural propaganda sectors, which takes effect from January 15, 2026.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism issues this Circular stipulating job code, qualification standards, and salary grade for cultural heritage specialists.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular stipulates job code, qualification standards, and salary grade for cultural heritage specialists.

2. This Circular applies to cultural heritage specialists working in public service units and related organizations and individuals.

Article 2. Job Code and Classification of Cultural Heritage Specialist Positions

Cultural heritage specialist positions include:

1. Heritage Officer, Class I       Job Code: V.10.05.29; 2. Heritage Officer, Class II       Job Code: V.10.05.16;

3. Heritage Officer, Class III       Job Code: V.10.05.17;

4. Heritage Officer, Class IV       Job Code: V.10.05.18.

Article 3. General Ethical Standards for Cultural Heritage Specialists

1. Demonstrate responsibility towards assigned tasks, comply with legal regulations, and fulfill all duties as a public official in professional activities.

2. Be passionate about the profession, honest, objective, straightforward; work scientifically with clear opinions; maintain humility and propriety when interacting with the public; combat wrongful and negative behaviors; practice thrift and oppose waste.

3. Have a sense of protection and promotion of the value of Vietnam's cultural heritage.

Article 4. Heritage Officer, Class I - Job Code: V.10.05.29

4. Foster unity, be proactive and actively cooperate with colleagues to accomplish assigned tasks.

5. Continuously study and improve moral qualities, competence, and capabilities.

Chapter II

OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

a) Lead the development of long-term, medium-term, and annual plans for protecting and promoting the value of cultural heritage of the unit and implement them after approval;

1. Duties:

b) Lead the research and application of scientific and technological achievements in protecting and promoting the value of cultural heritage;

c) Develop exhibition outlines and introduce cultural heritage projects; organize special national and international exhibitions;

d) Develop proposals and organize national and international surveys, collections, and archaeological excavations;

đ) Participate in drafting regulatory documents, policies, and strategies for protecting and promoting the value of cultural heritage;

e) Develop training programs, compile materials, and organize professional training for lower-ranked heritage officers.

a) Hold a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field of cultural heritage;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

b) Possess a certificate for training in the qualifications standard for cultural heritage specialist positions.

a) Proficiently understand Party guidelines, State policies, and strategic development plans in the field of cultural heritage protection and promotion;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

b) Have in-depth knowledge of professional practices in cultural heritage protection and promotion;

c) Have the ability to analyze, synthesize, systematize, and propose policy recommendations, draft regulatory documents, proposals, and programs for cultural heritage protection and promotion;

d) Have the ability to organize and direct the implementation of research and the application of scientific and technical advancements to improve and enhance the quality and effectiveness of cultural heritage protection and promotion work.

4. Requirements for candidates for promotion to the position of Heritage Officer, Class I:

đ) Have basic computer skills and be able to use foreign languages or ethnic minority languages for staff working in ethnic minority areas as required by job positions;

a) Have held the position of Heritage Officer, Class II or equivalent for at least six years. In cases of equivalent experience, they must have held the position of Heritage Officer, Class II for at least one year (twelve months) up to the deadline for submitting registration forms for the examination or promotion;

b) During the period holding the position of Heritage Officer, Class II or equivalent, they must have led the research and development of at least two scientific research topics, projects, or programs at the ministry level or higher in the field of cultural heritage protection and promotion, which have been approved and accepted by competent authorities, or have led at least two national and international collection, excavation, and exhibition activities.

b) During the period holding the title of Cultural Heritage Officer Level II or equivalent, has led at least two research topics, projects, programs in the field of cultural heritage protection and enhancement at the ministry level or higher, which have been accepted and approved by competent authorities, or has led at least two national and international archaeological excavations and exhibitions.

Article 5. Cultural Heritage Officer Level II - Code: V.10.05.16

1. Duties:

a) Take the lead in developing long-term, medium-term, and annual plans for activities related to the protection and enhancement of assigned cultural heritage values and organize their implementation after approval;

b) Take the lead or participate in research and application of scientific and technological achievements in the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage values;

c) Develop exhibition project proposals, outline plans for introducing cultural heritage, conservation schemes for relics; organize the implementation of key theme exhibitions at the museum;

d) Develop activity promotion and education programs, plans, and organize their implementation at the museum and relics; directly carry out promotional work for research and tour groups with specialized requirements;

đ) Organize inventorying, develop conservation and enhancement projects for intangible cultural heritage values. Organize the implementation of surveys, collections, and archaeological excavations assigned;

e) Participate in summarizing, evaluating, proposing amendments, supplements, and improvements to procedures and regulations on professional and technical activities related to the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage values;

g) Participate in developing program content, compiling materials, and providing professional training and guidance for lower-level Cultural Heritage Officers;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field of cultural heritage;

a) Proficiently understand Party guidelines, State policies, and strategic development plans in the field of cultural heritage protection and promotion;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

b) Have in-depth knowledge of professional practices in cultural heritage protection and promotion;

b) Have a thorough understanding of professional knowledge on the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage values;

c) Possess the ability to analyze, synthesize, systematize, and propose amendments, supplements, and improvements to procedures and regulations on professional and technical activities related to the protection and enhancement of assigned cultural heritage values for advisory and management purposes;

d) Have basic information technology skills, be able to use foreign languages or ethnic minority languages for staff working in ethnic minority regions as required by job positions;

4. Requirements for employees participating in examinations or evaluations for promotion to the position of Cultural Heritage Officer Level II:

a) Have held the position of Cultural Heritage Officer Level III or equivalent for at least nine years (excluding probationary and trial periods). In cases with equivalent time, they must have been holding the position of Cultural Heritage Officer Level III for at least one year (full twelve months) up to the deadline for submitting examination registration applications or evaluation applications for promotion;

b) During the period of holding the position of Cultural Heritage Officer Level III or equivalent, they must have participated in researching and developing at least one research topic, project, program, legal normative document, professional document, or technological improvement initiative in the field of cultural heritage protection and enhancement, which has been issued, accepted, or approved by competent authorities at the grassroots level or above;

Article 6. Cultural Heritage Officer Level III - Code: V.10.05.17

1. Duties:

a) Develop annual plans for assigned professional tasks related to the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage values and organize their implementation after approval;

b) Prepare object files, relic files, and intangible cultural heritage files that meet scientific standards; conduct preliminary analysis and determination of the value of objects, relics, and intangible cultural heritage based on recognized scientific conclusions to prepare for decisions on storing objects in the repository or registering them in the initial inventory list; establish a catalog and document intangible cultural heritage;

c) Inspect and evaluate the condition of objects, propose conservation, repair, and arrangement plans for objects in the repository according to established systems;

d) Participate in developing exhibition design outlines for introducing cultural heritage; schemes for repairing and restoring relics and constructing, repairing museums; conservation and enhancement projects for intangible cultural heritage;

đ) Participate in developing content and implementing promotional and educational activities at museums and relics;

e) Participate in scientific research and application of scientific and technological achievements in the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage values;

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Hold a bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field of cultural heritage;

a) Proficiently understand Party guidelines, State policies, and strategic development plans in the field of cultural heritage protection and promotion;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the Party's guidelines, state policies, and strategies for development in the field of cultural heritage protection and enhancement;

b) Master professional knowledge on the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage values;

c) Possess the ability to analyze and synthesize issues entrusted for advisory and management purposes;

d) Have basic information technology skills, be able to use foreign languages or ethnic minority languages for staff working in ethnic minority regions as required by job positions;

4. Requirements for employees participating in examinations or evaluations for promotion to the position of Cultural Heritage Officer Level III:

Must have held the position of Cultural Heritage Officer Level IV or equivalent for at least two years (excluding probationary and trial periods) for associate degree holders or at least three years (excluding probationary and trial periods) for diploma holders. In cases with equivalent time, they must have been holding the position of Cultural Heritage Officer Level IV for at least one year (full twelve months) up to the deadline for submitting examination registration applications or evaluation applications for promotion.

Article 7. Cultural Heritage Officer Grade IV - Code: V.10.05.18

1. Duties:

a) Perform regular technical tasks at the unit;

b) Carry out work to support research, participate in investigations, surveys, or assist in processing and compiling information and data on tangible and intangible cultural heritage within the assigned scope;

c) Implement the plan for repairing objects assigned to them.

2. Qualifications regarding education and training:

a) Hold a college degree or higher relevant to the field of cultural heritage;

a) Proficiently understand Party guidelines, State policies, and strategic development plans in the field of cultural heritage protection and promotion;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Understand the legal regulations regarding the protection and enhancement of the value of cultural heritage;

b) Have basic knowledge about the business of protecting and enhancing the value of cultural heritage;

c) Proficiently use technical equipment and tools serving the requirements of the tasks.

Chapter III

SALARY RATING FOR PROFESSIONAL TITLES OF CULTURAL HERITAGE SPECIALISTS

Article 8. Principles for salary rating for professional titles of cultural heritage specialists

1. The appointment and salary rating for professional titles of cultural heritage specialists as stipulated in this Circular must be based on the job position, responsibilities, duties, and expertise currently held by the specialist.

2. When appointing and rating salaries for professional titles of cultural heritage specialists corresponding to the positions, it shall not combine with increasing salary grades or promoting professional title grades of the specialists.

Article 9. Salary Grading Method

1. The professional titles of cultural heritage specialists stipulated in this Circular shall apply Table 3 (Table of salaries for professional staff in state-run units) issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004, of the Government on the wage system for cadres, civil servants, public officials, and armed forces personnel, specifically as follows:

a) The professional title of Cultural Heritage Officer Grade I shall apply the salary grade of public official type A3, group 2 (A3.2), from coefficient 5.75 to coefficient 7.55;

b) The professional title of Cultural Heritage Officer Grade II shall apply the salary grade of public official type A2, group 2 (A2.2), from coefficient 4.00 to coefficient 6.38;

c) The professional title of Cultural Heritage Officer Grade III shall apply the salary grade of public official type A1, from coefficient 2.34 to coefficient 4.98;

d) The professional title of Cultural Heritage Officer Grade IV shall apply the salary grade of public official type B, from coefficient 1.86 to coefficient 4.06.

a) In cases where a public official recruited has a doctoral degree, suitable for the recruitment position, and is appointed to the Cultural Heritage Officer Grade III professional title: grade 3, coefficient 3.00, public official type A1 grade;

b) In cases where a public official recruited has a master's degree, suitable for the recruitment position, and is appointed to the Cultural Heritage Officer Grade III professional title: grade 2, coefficient 2.67, public official type A1 grade;

c) In cases where a public official recruited has a bachelor's degree, suitable for the recruitment position, and is appointed to the Cultural Heritage Officer Grade III professional title: grade 1, coefficient 2.34, public official type A1 grade;

d) In cases where a public official recruited has an associate degree, suitable for the recruitment position, and is appointed to the Cultural Heritage Officer Grade IV professional title: grade 2, coefficient 2.06, public official type B grade;

đ) In cases where a public official recruited has a college degree, suitable for the recruitment position, and is appointed to the Cultural Heritage Officer Grade IV professional title: grade 1, coefficient 1.86, public official type B grade.

3. The transfer of salary grading for public officials from their current professional titles to the professional titles of cultural heritage specialists stipulated in this Circular shall be carried out in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Section II of Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BNV dated May 25, 2007, of the Minister of Home Affairs guiding salary grading when upgrading, transferring, or changing types of civil servants and public officials.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 10. Implementation Organization

1. This Circular serves as the basis for implementing the recruitment, utilization, and management of cultural heritage specialists working in public service units.

2. Heads of public service units directly managing and utilizing public officials have the responsibility to review the job positions in their units; decide or submit to the competent authority for approval the appointment of professional titles of cultural heritage specialists according to the delegated authority.

3. Non-public organizations, institutions, and non-state service units may apply the provisions of this Circular to recruit, utilize, and manage staff in the field of cultural heritage.

Article 11. Transitional Provisions

1. Public officials who were appointed to professional titles of cultural heritage specialists in accordance with the law before the effective date of this Circular shall be deemed to meet the requirements of the professional title standards for cultural heritage specialists stipulated in this Circular corresponding to the professional titles they were appointed to.

Article 12. Effectiveness and responsibility for implementation

1. This Circular takes effect from February 5, 2022.

2. Repeal Circular Joint No. 09/2015/TTLT-BVHTTDL-BNV dated December 11, 2015, of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Minister of Home Affairs on the code and standards for professional titles of cultural heritage specialists.

3. In cases where the referenced documents in this Circular are amended, supplemented, or replaced, implementation shall be carried out according to the new documents.

4. The Minister, Head of a ministerial-level agency, Head of an agency under the Government, Chairman of the People's Committee of a province or centrally governed city, and related organizations, entities, and individuals shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

5. During the implementation process, if any difficulties arise, it is requested that agencies, units, and individuals promptly report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for research and appropriate amendments and supplements.